COVID-19 outbreak, which originated in China in December 2019, is now considered a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Scientists internationally have been recommending various measures for the protection of public health, though countries take measures individually to alleviate the impact. The effects of these recommendations and measures on the poor and vulnerable segments of the society should be taken into consideration. This will ensure that these segments of the society are effectively protected, and therefore contribute to the health of the general public by slowing and limiting the spread of COVID-19.
According WHO one of the most important measures to protect oneself from the COVID-19 is washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based rub frequently. Another is maintaining social distance. Furthermore, experts have been also stressing the importance of strengthening immunity. If there is a suspected case in a household, they are recommending isolating the person in a separate room to prevent further spread in the household. States have been taking various measure to flatten the infection curve, in an effort to stagger new COVID-19 cases over a longer period of time. Closing schools and switching to distance learning, shutting of venues where crowds gather, closing of restaurants, cafes and bars are among some of the measures taken. In addition, some countries suspended public transportation and implemented complete lockdowns to ensure social distancing. As the spread of the diseases increase, measures taken becomes more stringent. These measures are of utmost importance for the protection of public health and should be adhered to. However, they are increasing the vulnerability of already vulnerable groups which live in poverty. These vulnerable groups (among which are Roma, other groups with limited income, homeless people, legal and illegal immigrants, internally displaced persons, refugees) are living together in crammed neighbourhoods with limited infrastructure and public services. Most of them are engaged in informal occasional work, such as scrap gathering, daily domestic work, manual work, and try to make ends meet with their daily earnings. Some work as dishwashers, waiters and musicians based on a monthly or daily salary without social security at businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars. A minority has access to cash through beggary.
Income most make, falls short in meeting basic household needs even in ordinary times. For instance, many families cannot regularly pay their electricity, water, gas and communication bills. Consequently, their electricity, water, gas and phones/internet access are cut off. Moreover, rather than food with high nutritional value, they can only consume cheap, high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. Although some receive social assistance, it is only adequate to partially meet basic needs. They survive with the solidarity they show within their own communities. On the other hand, the houses they live in are physically insufficient. Many families cohabit in single or two-room houses. While few lack indoor bathrooms, some share bathrooms with their neighbours. Homeless people, on the other hand, are often not able to take shelter in a closed space. In addition, most people living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods face chronic illnesses (such as diabetes and blood pressure) at an earlier age compared to the general population.
Hence, vulnerable segments of the society living in poverty have low capacity to protect from the Covid-19 outbreak. Some measures taken to flatten the curve further decreases this capacity. Firstly, because they are not able to leave their houses and the places they work are closed, they lose their job opportunities, whereby their income drops significantly. In most cases they cannot earn any income to sustain their daily lives. Consequently, their access even to low nutrient food drops. They find it difficult to purchase soap or alcohol-based rub, which are basic materials for hygiene. It becomes nearly impossible for them to pay their electricity, water, communication and heating bills and face utility cut-offs. Accordingly, in houses without water and electricity, they cannot perform daily activities such as cooking or taking a shower, activities that are central to fight COVID-19. Furthermore, even if they have the necessary equipment, children cannot access distance learning platforms without electricity and communication services. Due to substandard housing, they are not able to isolate a household member, if the need arises.
Taking also their health vulnerability into account, vulnerable segments of the society living in poverty should be supported by location-based and individual/household-based assistance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, for them to sustain their daily lives and protect their health. Measures that take into account the needs and characteristics of vulnerable groups living in poverty, will not only mitigate problems faced by these groups, but will also protect public health of the overall population and reduce COVID-19’s spread rate. In this context, authorities at national and local level need to develop and take necessary measures in coordination. International organizations should provide necessary support. (Excerpts from an analysis made for Zero Discrimination Association with Elmas Arus).
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